More than a decade after Visalia police discovered the body of a woman in a shallow grave, an arrest has been made.

This week, 40-year-old Joseph Hughes was arrested on suspicion of killing his wife.

Days after Thanksgiving 2006, witnesses called police after they spotted a body along a canal bank east of Akers Street, just north of Hillsdale Avenue.

When officers arrived, they discovered the body of 31-year-old Sonia Hughes. Violent crimes detectives were called out and began an investigation.

Police said dental records were used to identify the Visalia woman who had been missing since September.

An autopsy determined Sonia Hughes had been strangled to death.

Detectives learned that in September 2006, Sonia Hughes and her husband, Joseph Hughes, had gotten into an argument at their home in the 100 block of North Granite Street.

Witnesses said Sonia and Joseph Hughes left the home after the argument. She wasn't seen again until her body was discovered in November.

From the start of the investigation, Joseph Hughes, now 40, was the primary suspect, police said.

For 11 years, detectives continued interviewing witnesses and gathering evidence to bring Sonia Hughes' killer to justice.

Earlier this month, Tulare County District Attorney's Office issued a warrant for Joesph Hughes arrest. He was serving a prison sentence on unrelated charges and transferred to Tulare County for questioning.

"We are pleased to finally have an arrest," Sgt. Damon Maurice said. "There was a lot of hard work put in by the people in our agency to solve this case."

On Tuesday, Joesph Hughes was booked into Tulare County Pretrial Facility on suspicion of homicide.

"We hope this brings some closure to the family," Maurice said.

If anyone has information regarding the case, call Detective Celeste Sanchez at 713-4739.